Organized by: GRF Davos, Davos, Switzerland DG Joint Research Centers, European Commission, Ispra, Italy European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA), Council of Europe, Strasbourg United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Geneva

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, agreed at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in March 2015 and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in June 2015 aims to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political and institutional measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthen resilience. The Framework lists four priorities, seven targets, thirteen principles and suggested actions for stakeholders at global, regional, national and local level. The expected outcome till 2030 is to achieve substantial reduction in disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health. In January 2016, at the UNISDR S&T-conference in Geneva, the science and technology community, as well as other stakeholders, have agreed on a ‘Science and Technology Roadmap to Support the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’. Actions and deliverables are listed to achieve the set goals.

Whereas the goals and the “What” are well specified, the “How” to achieve the goals still needs more clarification and a mechanism for creating and capturing knowledge, synthesising and documenting knowledge, and sharing and transferring knowledge. Recognizing the gaps in implementation, the need to refocus research activities to new areas acknowledges that a transition in thinking is required, redirecting the “science of what” to a “science of how” and applying existing skills and knowledge more effectively. This includes addressing emerging problems in multidisciplinary, applied and justified ways. Workshop participants will discuss pros and cons of various mechanisms in use and contribute to improvements.

The innovation in DRR management due to technological progress should nevertheless be pursued, even for issues of DRR where the scientific knowledge is deemed satisfactory. The vulnerability of our critical infrastructures and services continuously shows how important it is for business and society to be able to adapt in the face of major adverse events. Research gaps shall be identified and solutions addressed.

One fundamental prerequisite for risk-based approaches is a general understanding in our societies about hazards and risks. Education and awareness raising that addresses all generations and sectors of our societies is therefore key.Today’s integrative risk management approaches need well-educated administrators and practitioners. The workshop shall discuss how to best raise risk awareness, the type of university-level curricula that is best suited for professionals in risk reduction and disaster management, and how risk-based knowledge can be applied and used most effectively and efficiently. Finding ways to bridge gaps between science and practical implementation, thus accelerating the knowledge exchange, remains an important task for the workshop.

"Capacity development for DRR impact at national and local level”, Beatrice Progida, Special Advisor, Knowledge Management for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Services, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

“Roles of Scientific Communities for Disaster Risk Reduction Solutions: Perspectives for the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI)”, Summary of the Session outcomes